Friendly reminder: It is illegal to possess fireworks within the City of Austin. (sales, live)

[CptnRn]

This is a Friendly reminder, many people don't realize that if you go to a fireworks stand outside of the City limits and bring them into Austin or any area within 5000 feet of the City limits you can be ticketed for it. The Fire Department has set up sting operations for this in the past watching for this and ticketing customers of fireworks stands when they try and return to the City.

City of Austin - AFD Fire Code Frequently Asked Questions

What is the City of Austin ordinance regarding fireworks usage?
It is illegal to possess fireworks within the City of Austin. It is illegal to use or sell fireworks within the City of Austin and within 5,000 feet outside the city limits.

Are any fireworks legal in the City of Austin without a permit?
The U.S. Department of Transportation does not classify the following items listed as common fireworks, and their use is allowed within the City of Austin:

Snake, GlowWorm - Pressed pellet of pyrotechnic composition thatproduces a large, snakelike ash upon burning. The ash expands in length as the pellet burns. These devices may not contain mercuric thiocyanate.

Smoke Device - Tube or sphere containing pyrotechnic composition that, upon ignition, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect.

Wire Sparkler - Wire coated with pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. These items may not contain magnesium and must not exceed 100g of composition per item. Devices containing any chlorate or perchlorate salts may not exceed 5g of composition per item.

Trick Noisemaker: Item produces a small report intended to surprise the user. These devices include:

• Party Popper - Small plastic or paper item containing not more than 16mg of explosive composition that is friction-sensitive. A string protruding from the device is pulled to ignite it, expelling paper streams and producing a small report.
• Booby Trap - Small tube with string protruding from both ends, similar to a party popper in design. The ends of the string are pulled to ignite the friction-sensitive composition, producing a small report.
• Snapper - Small, paper-wrapped item containing a minute quantity of explosive composition coated on small bits of sand. When dropped, the device explodes, producing a small report.
• Trick Match - Kitchen or book match that has been coated with a small quantity of explosive or pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition of the match, a small report or a shower of sparks is produced.
• Cigarette Load - Small wooden peg that has been coated with a small quantity of explosive or pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition of the match, a small report or a shower of sparks is produced.
• Auto Burglar Alarm - Tube, which contains pyrotechnic composition that produces a loud whistle and/or smoke when ignited. A small quantity of explosive, not exceeding 50mg, also may be used to produce a small report. A squib is used to ignite the device.

[woodinvilleguy]

good note, please don't catch our beautiful countryside on fire. It is really dry out there.

[HappyTexan]

Burn ban in effect for Travis county. They had the sign up outside the firehouse yesterday as I drove past. So no fireworks from me.

I think either last year or the year before a neighbor behind me set their back pasture on fire with the fireworks. It took 2 tanker trucks full of water to put it out. Thankfully there were no livestock in there. Grass is definitely dry and brittle.

[TexasHorseLady]

I was walking in our (empty) paddock to get some hay for the critters in the (very dry) pasture. It was startling how the grass crunched beneath my feet.

Time for a rain dance. I understand Monday and Tuesday (especially Tuesday) are our next best bets. (We didn't get any of the rain that hit Austin last week.)

[CptnRn]

The 10 day forecast is currently showing that starting Monday will may have 6 days in a row of temperatures below 99 and 5 of those days have 30%+ isolated thunderstorms. I wish the chance were higher but that is still hopeful.

[TexasHorseLady]

Where are you seeing that forecast. Most recent I saw only had 2 days (Monday and Tuesday) of lower than 100 degree temps and 20% chance of showers. (Was trying to figure out when to best do my rain dance - yes, I'm that desperate.) I want to look where you're looking!

[CptnRn]

Intellicast - Austin Weather Report in Texas (78735)

With only 30%+ Isolated thunderstorms predicted, each day could use as many dances as you can work in.

Can I come watch?

[TexasHorseLady]

Heck, you can come dance!

[rdking647]

How can the city of austin ban the sales of fireworks outside of the city limits??

[Houston3]

Originally Posted by rdking647

How can the city of austin ban the sales of fireworks outside of the city limits??

I'm wondering the same thing... I've seen fire cracker stands right on the other side of a city limit sign where cities ban them.